Sales were up 5.5% in August from the month before and up 10% from August 2016. So far in 2017, sales are up almost 9%.

ZVEI-Fachverband PCB and Electronic Systems, the trade group that compiles the data, cited new long-term framework agreements for printed circuit board manufacturers with automotive suppliers. Year-to-date orders are up almost 18% from the same period last year.

The book-to-bill, a ratio of orders over the past 90 days divided by sales, rose to a new high of 1.31.

The number of employees rose by a little over 9% compared to August 2016.